The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1887-04-16
wAplNo BIRDS.
Habits ak the Heron. stork. Crane. Ibis
and the smaller Waders.

V>tN@ Afn Lgs -+s4-l
Hahlts ~ the Heron. stork, Crane. Ibis
aud the smaller Walters.
From the long neck and the long
naked legs Of the hnron we mAy form a
pretty good idea of what TO expect Of
all wading birds, no matter how much
they may differ in size. The long toes
spread ont very far apart, and thus pre-
vent the birds from mixing in the Soft
mud as they wade about in shallow
water near the banks of rivers aud
marshes Places like these are the fa
vorite haunts Of the hercns. and here
they stand patiently watching for
fishes, frogs and small reptiles. Tker
long neeks are admirably suited fur
reach NO out 10 catch such creatures
and their slender beaks quickly Sc ~
the prey. seldom missing their aim.
Herons are found in all parts of tho
world. and they form one of the great
est ornaments of our Southern marshes
and streams. The Hight. however. is
not very graceful These birds have no
tail worth speaking of, SO when lying
they always stretch out Their legs he
b nd them TO act IA rudder, Will
most her birds tuck Their legs snugly
away out of ght,
Another large and elegant bird is the
crane, which is sometimes over four
feet in height. but otherwise not especi-
ally remarkable. unless il be for us long
IN grations twice every year. and for the
perfect discirl ne which is observed on
these journeyings
Those who have read the interesting
stories about the storks that I've in Eu-
ropean and As attic ties, aud perhaps
have seen them there, may be surprised
TO learn that they are also wadcrs
These city b rds seem To have given up
their aquatic ha its since they came to
I've in town, and now they stalk about
the streets amidst throngs of people
aud are not the least disturbed by them
The preset ce of the storks in thes
e ties is not only tolerated. hut on fhs
contrary. the birds are highly vafued
because they feed upon garoage and
small vern n, aud in this way help to
keep the streets clean. On account of
these services especial laws have been
made in some countries for Their protcc
ton.
Their nests, placed in tall trees, tow
ers or ch;mncys, are coarse ALA r..
loosely hu Il of sticks. In Holland per
sons sometimes make false chimheys {,
their houses on purpose foc the stork,
to bu Id on. and that family is consider
ed fortunate thSt has a seork', nest
upon the roof Tnese digniiied birds
are especially numerous IN the eastern
hemisphere. They assemble in large
hocks before starting ON their m gra.
tions, and it Is a common belief that al
such times they are consulting ahou
the r intended journey.
Tho laat.f titfss1c l,ff oil warm
countries. One species, the wood IBIS
has gained for itself the reputation II
be ng very greedy, and not wittou
good cause. With its strong tnli il
kills a great many fishes. frogs. snakes,
Young all ators and other small AMI
mal-, VIII ch form its favorito kiod. A.
these V ct.ms lie HostRg on the water
round about the scene Of their desrlc.
ton, the Ibis swallows as many ne L can
well take. and then stands ssnp sts %
the edge o! tina stream. waiting until
this meal Is diqeSted before it is able TO
indulge In another.
Then there Is the sacred ibis. which
was worshiped by the people OF Egyp
in olden times Perhaps they loved th =
bird because it devoured the -crpensS
which annoyed them so much. or else
because il returned each year at the
time of the overflow OF the y lc, and
the supcrstitio1s Egypt ans may hav,
thought they were indebted to the Id :
For the fertility Of he country which re-
suits from th,s overflow. 1t is at ieas;
certain that they were in the habit o.
embalming the bird with thcr mum
mics. and placing curious stiif pc;ure>
of it on the monuments.
Among the smailer waders are som
of our pretty little shore birds, who's.
quick movements are so interesting ta
watch. Small fiocks of these little bird
on the beach may be seen running ou,
eagerly after a retreating wave, snatch
.ng up tiny fishes and crabs, snd hurry
ing along TO gather as many of thes'
daintes rs possible before the next wav,
comes in. Then they all mount rap dls
INTO the air to escape this coming wave
as if they were exceedingly anS ous
not 10 wet those slender toes. Theit
feast S interrupted but a few seconds.
for they soon al chit and go through
the same performances. Sarah Cooper
ia HGrper's Young People.